Improvement in corn-harvesters



GORTNER & McCAN N Corn Harvescer.

No. 27,360. Patented March 6, 1860.

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V UNITED STATES PATENT Urrice.

H. GORTNER AND J. MCGANN, OF NASHPORT, OHIO.

IMPRUVEMENT IN CORNFHARVESTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 27,369, dated March 6, 181 30.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, H. GORTNER and J. MOOANN, both of Nashport, in the county of Muskingum and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsiu Cornl-larvesters; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, referencebeing had to the accompa nying drawings, forming a part of this speci fication, in which Figure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section taken through our machineifrom front to rear, as indicated by the red line a m, Fig. 2, showing the position of the hinged framework in red lines for removing the shock of stalks from the machine. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine, showing the several parts of the same arranged in their relative positions for cutting and receiving the cornstalks before binding them. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the cutting apparatus.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

The object of this invention is to construct a machine which will, as it is drawn through the field of standing corn, cut the same with great facility, two rows at one time, and by which the cut cornstalks can be readily gathered in shocks and left on the field in a tit condition for binding.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand our invention, we will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

In the drawings, A A represent drivingwheels, upon which the front end of the machine is supported.

13 is the frame-work of the machine, which is supported in its rear end by caster-wheels a a. At this end-of the frame extend up two posts, 0 O, with a cross-brace, and a roller, D, having its end bearings in either post, and furnished with a winch, E, and pawls and ratchet b.

F F are strong cords, having their ends fixed tothe roller D and to a hinged frame, G, hinged at its rear end to the frame B, and to the front end of this frame G is hinged a similar frame, G, its opposite end being free to move with the frame G. This end rests on the longitudinal side bars of the frame B. On one side of the hinged frame G is hinged another frame, H, which latter receives the cut cane or stalks as they fall back from the cutters, and for this purpose it is covered with sheet metal or boards and provided with a band, 0, which is attached at the middle of its length to a short shaft or roller, cl, and by suitable gearing, e e, the band is wound up on the roller 0, after it is secured around the bundle, so as to tighten the band around the bundle, sufficiently to keep the stalks, together until the frame H can be brought over the side of the machine in the position shown in red lines,

Fig. 1. Then by loosening the band 0 the stalks will be discharged on the ground by the side of the machine and out of the way. To bring the bundle of stalks, after they have been bound and secured with the band 0, over the side of the machine, as above stated, the frames G and G are drawn up in a vertical position, as shown in red lines, Fig. 1, by the roller and cords above described, and being held by the ratchet and pawl b, the gate or frame H is then swung round, carrying with it the bundle of stalks. They are then dropped and the parts returned to a horizontal position, (represented by Figs. 1 and 2,) for repeating the operation. In front of this gathering and depositing. apparatus are the knives for cutting the stalks, and between these knives is the drivers seat I.

J is a guard-board, and K K are beveled gearing for operating the knives. The bevelwheel K is fixed to the shaft of the drivingwheel A, and the wheel K is attached to a vertical shaft carrying the knives L and a pulley, g. Pulley 9 gives motion to pulley-wheel g, which rotates the gathering arms M. These arms taper from their hub to their extreme ends, and are slightly curyed. These rotating arms draw the tops of the stalks over to the knives as the machine proceeds along and throws the cut stalks back on the frame H. They have a slower motion than the knives below, so that the stalks will be drawn up to the cutters as fast only as the cutters perform their work.

N are convex portions, with straight-edged knives f secured to them. Both knives and convex plates N are stationary. Upon these knives and plates N rotate sickle-cutters L, which are bent down so as to conform to the convexity of the fixed knivesf. Above these rotary knives L are guards P P, which prevent the cutters from carrying the stalks round and 2. The convex knife-rest N, with rotary round or choking up with the stalks. sickle-blade, and cutters L, as represented and Having thus described our invention, what described, and for the purpose specified.

we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pat- H. GORTN ER.

cut, is J. MGCANN.

l. The hinged frames G, G, and H, band a, roller D, with cords F, all arranged, combined, Witnesses: and operating in the manner and for the pur- N. O. FLEMING, poses herein set forth. I. B. SHEPPARD. 

